Hot Topics:

Billerica selectmen quarreling over proposed procedure changes

By Evan Lips, elips@lowellsun.com

Updated:
12/04/2012 06:35:02 AM EST

BILLERICA -- On a night when selectmen voted to maintain the largest property-tax shift allowed by state law between residences and businesses, the bulk of Monday's meeting's energy revolved around a heated debate of whether to change board policies and procedures following last month's failed Town Common redesign proposal.

Selectman Dave Gagliardi drafted a report outlining the proposed changes, which would include censuring any member if he or she is found to have "persuaded or in any way interfered" with the authority of any department head or subordinate.

Another proposed change includes banning the introduction of any information presented at a meeting that was not first provided in members' packets, unless a majority of the board votes otherwise.

Lastly, Gagliardi also proposed a measure that would require board members to first contact the town manager prior to reaching out to town counsel regarding any inquiries.

Selectman Mike Rosa was the most vocal opponent of the proposals, as they appeared to suggest his actions were what forced Gagliardi's hand.

Last month, as selectmen were debating which day of the week would be most suitable for the Town Common referendum, Gagliardi introduced two memos penned by Town Clerk Shirley Schult indicating her preference to hold the townwide vote on a Monday.

At the same meeting, Rosa introduced an internal email Schult sent to Town Manager John Curran that showed her staff would not be opposed to holding the vote on a Saturday.

Advertisement

Rosa accused Gagliardi of intentionally "bypassing" the third memo, but Gagliardi responded that he was unaware of the internal email until Rosa introduced it at the meeting.

Once Monday night's meeting adjourned, resident Virginia Musker approached Gagliardi and accused him of singling out Rosa. Gagliardi said his proposals were not about Rosa, and that he "didn't just pull this idea out of thin air."

Rosa called the proposals "divisive," and said it would do nothing but "pit board member against board member."

Monday night was the first reading. The proposals will be read and debated again when selectmen meet on Dec. 17.

In other news, the average homeowner can expect to witness an $87 bump on their next property-tax bill after selectmen voted unanimously to endorse Chief Assessor Rich Scanlon's recommendation to keep the highest business-residential shift allowed under state law.

It will be seventh straight year in Billerica for a 175 percent shift, as Scanlon explained that the measure has a lower impact of any alternative on current rates.

Pending authorization from the state Department of Revenue, homeowners can expect to pay $14.31 per every $1,000 of assessed value in their next tax bill, an increase of 39 cents over the current rate.

Business owners can expect to pay $32.89 per every $1,000 of assessed value, a bump of 96 cents.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.